Signal apparatus.



E. B.-DAILEY.

SIGNAL APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED us. so, 1906.

Patented Nov; 24, 1908.

Witness EDMUND B. DAILEY, OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

SIGNAL APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 24, 1908 Application filed January 30, 1906. Serial No.298,714.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDMUND B. DAILEY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Omaha, in the county of Douglas and State of Nebraska, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Signal Apparatus; and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in signals and particularly toflags especially adapted for use in train signal service.

Among the objects of my invention are simplicity of construction andoperation economy of maintenance and additional security and precautionin use. These and other objects are attained, as will be obvious tothose skilled in the art of transportation, by the employment of thenovel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts comprisingmy invention, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing :-Figure 1 is a top plan view of the leavesof the present improved flag, in an opened or spread condition. Fig. 2is a view in side elevation of the same. Fig. 8 is a top plan view ofthe complete signal. Fig. 4 is a view in side ele vation thereof. Fig. 5is a perspective view thereof, parts being broken away and one of theplates being omitted. Fig. 6 is a view in front elevation of thesupport, parts being broken away.

It is well known to those skilled in the art of transportation that theordinary flags used in train service become so discolored in such abrief period of time that it is practically impossible to maintain aflag for any reasonable length of time in such condition as to makereadily apparent the signal intended. It is well known that a constantannoyance arises from the white and green flags becoming so black as torender it impossible to distinguish between the flags, and in someinstances red flags are so entirely discolored as to make the reading ofthe signal ditficult and uncertain. I propose to largely obviate theobjections noted, by the provision of a flag capable of use in everyrespect like the flags heretofore used but so designed as to enable theemployment of metallic sheets instead of fabric.

In carrying out the invention, I preferably employ suitable elements anillustrative embodiment of which is indicated in the accompanyingdrawing, in which 11 represent plates which may be formed of metal orother material capable of withstanding wear. Each of the plates may havetheir opposite faces colored as desired, the face of one of the plates 1being preferably colored to correspond to one of the faces of the otherplate 1 and the reverse faces of said plates are differently colored.The plates 1 are formed with interlocking eyes 2 at their outer ends,through which is passed a connecting pintle 3 which produces a hinge ofthe two plates. The said two plates are thus pivotally connected attheir outer edge and their inner edges are left free when un supported.Each of the inner edges of each plate 3 is formed with a cross plate 4producing a T-head and each of the cross plates may be made of anylength desired but, as shown, are preferably extended for the full widthof the respective plate 1. In conjunction with the plates 1 and formingan essential part of the present improved signal, I employ a support forthe said plate 1, consisting of a base or attaching plate 5 which isdesigned to be secured to any suitable portion of a locomotive or car orpositioned at any other preferable point, as on a ship, or automobile oron a. street or other public space. Engaging and preferably formedintegrally with the base 5 is a web 6 carrying a transversely arrangedplate 7. The plate 7 may be of any desired length but is preferablyapproximately equal in length to the width of the plates 1. Plate 7 isformed with longitudinal under cut grooves S8, each of which is designedto receive one of the T-heads 4. Each of the grooves S is closed at itslower end as at 9 whereby the lower end of the respective T-head at willbe supported in position when introduced within the groove 8 and thecorresponding plate 1 be sustained thereby. It is to be observed thatthe grooves 8 are spaced apart a suflicient distance for causing theplates 1 to assume a position with their flat faces in planes at acuteangles, the inner edges of the plates being spaced apart when theT-heads & are in position within the grooves 8.

By preference, the plate 7 is disposed on an inclined plane with respectto the base 5, so that when the said base 5 is sustained in a verticalposition, the flag plates 1 will be supported on a slight incline asclearly indicated in Fig. 4.

Each of the plates 1 is preferably provided with a plurality ofapertures 101O for reducing the wind resistance, and increasing thecontrast of colors for making the color of the flag more apparent.

In operation the T-heads 4 are introduced longitudinally into the upperends of the grooves 8 and'are permitted to slide down such grooves untilthe lower ends of said heads rest upon the closures 9. The grooves 8 aresufliciently spaced apart, as set forth above, for producing angularrelation of the plates 1 and thereby affording a comparatively broadbase for the flag whereby the plates may easily be firmly held againstair pressure and the shocks and jars to which the support for the base 5may be subjected. It is observed that the flag in operation ispositioned with the plates 1 in the form of a V. The opposite faces ofthe plates 4 are similarly colored so that when the said plates are inposition, the same color will be seen on both sides of the flag. WVhenit is desired to show a different signal by the use of a diiferentlycolored flag, the T-heads 4 are slid longitudinally upwardly out of thegrooves 8 and the plates 4 are swung upon their pivotal connection forbringing the formerly exposed face to the concealed position, wherebythe formerly concealed faces will be exposed. The T-heads 4 are then aain introduced into the grooves 8. The p ates 1 therefore serve as twoflags and may be readily and quickly changed from one to the other, andbe firmly and rigidly sustained in position the supports for the plates1 being adapted for detachably and interchangeably sustaining the platesas above set forth.

While I have illustrated and described a detail embodiment of thepresent invention, it will of course be obvious that any slightalterations in the size, general contour and.

details may be made within the scope of the appended claims without inthe least deviating from the spirit of the present invention.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is 1. Ina signal, a pair of reversibleinterchangeable plates, each formed with a hinge member on one edge anda supporting T head on the opposite edge, means for connecting the hingemembers and means contacting with the fiat surfaces of the T heads forsupporting the latter separately.

2. In a signal, a pair of reversible interchangeable plates, each formedwith a hinge member on one edge and a T head on the opposite edge, meansfor connecting the hinge members, and a bracket provided with aplurality of devices contacting with the fiat surfaces of the T headsand spaced apart for supporting the ends of said plates, each of saiddevices accommodating the head of; either of said plates in its normalposition or with its upper edge turned downwardly.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDMUND B. DAILEY.

WVitnesses:

CHARLES L. DUNDEY, ROBERT E. OHANLY.

